Airlines break ranks in B737 saga

The Boeing B737 MAX saga continued last week with Southwest Airlines and Air Canada parting company with American Airlines over when the aircraft might re-enter commercial service.

American had said earlier it hoped to have the MAX flying again during January 2020 (BTN last week), but Air Canada then extended its start date until 14 February and Southwest followed by saying it would not restart until 8 February.

Southwest, the largest operator of the MAX, said keeping it out of scheduled service would reduce last-minute flight cancellations and unexpected disruptions to travel plans, offer reliability to its operation and stability for passengers.

The airline added: “[We] continue to monitor information from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration … and remain confident that, once certified by the FAA, the enhancements will support the safe operation of the MAX.”

Air Canada chief commercial officer Lucie Guillemette said the airline was “taking this prudent step as a result of the ongoing regulatory uncertainty about the timing of the aircraft returning to service”.

He added: “The extension will give us scheduling predictability through the implementation of the first phase of our new reservation system and the required stability as we prepare the second phase of the system roll-out.”

www.southwest.com

www.aircanada.com

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